ABSTRACT
A general idea about who needs to be invited to the conference, and how the conference is to be used: is it to become the "ceremony of reintegration" for the young wrongdoers who have been suspended and is it a process to be used to tackle an ongoing issue. If the decision has been made by the school administration/executive to proceed with a conference, key parties need to be consulted about whether they would be willing to participate. They will need to be convinced that a conference is an appropriate course of action, that they will not be further victimised and that their issues will be addressed. Teaching staffs will be attending a conference in a particular role of victim, supporter, witness or, sometimes, wrongdoer. The conference preparation includes: establishing the facts and deciding who comes, interviewing participants before the conference, arranging a time and venue and refreshments, drawing a seating plan, and preparing for likely dynamics.
